Actors&WritersLondon (AWL) is London’s longest-running professional play-reading forum for actors and writers. It was established in 1973 at Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios and was known as Hammersmith Actors and Writers Group until July 2004.

AWL meets in Hammersmith, London W6, on alternate Monday evenings for rehearsed readings and chaired discussions of new plays.

You are welcome to attend our meetings, whether you are a theatre professional or just interested in theatre.

What We Do

Writers

We support writers by enabling them to:

see their work brought to life before an informed audience;

benefit from objective, expert feedback.

Actors and Directors

We support actors, directors and aspiring directors by enabling them to:

take part in and influence the development of new plays;

work with friends old and new;

gain performance credits that extend the range of their work.

We work to the highest standards.

Readings are directed and performed by established professionals.

Plays are rehearsed, usually on the Sunday afternoon before the reading.

Participants abide by strict guidelines similar to the rules governing their paid work.

Admission

AWL is extremely informal and friendly. There is a licensed bar adjacant to our performance space.

You are welcome to attend as a non-member, in which case you will be asked to make a £6 contribution at the door towards the costs of room hire, etc. You will be under no obligation whatsoever to become a member.

If you prefer to become a member, annual membership is £10, except for actors and writers under 27 (subscription free) who attend regularly. Meetings are also subject to admission charges: £6 for non-members, £4 for members and £2 for under-27s (identification required). Every member is entitled to a personal page on the AWL website. However, as under-27s pay no subscription charges, they must attend at least three meetings before they qualify for their AWL page.

You are welcome to attend as a non-member, in which case you will be asked to make a £6 contribution at the door towards the costs of room hire, etc. You will be under no obligation whatsoever to become a member.

You must become a member if you wish to submit a script for appraisal or if you wish to act or direct.

If you wish to become a member, you can either pay your subscription at the door at one of our readings, use BACs, or send a cheque.

See our Membership page for full details, including links to pages of detailed guidelines for actors, writers (including script appraisal policy) and directors participating in AWL readings. The guidelines are adorned by a series of wonderful, witty drawings by Max India, well worth a visit.